Water motor



Nov. 24, 1925. 1,562,486

W. G. ALEXANDER ET AL WATER MOTOR Filed July 25 1924 Patented Nov. 24, 1925.

WILLIAM G. ALEXANDER AND IYILBURN E. ALEXANDER, 0F BREWSTER, WASHINGTON.

VATER MOTOR.

Application filed .Tnly 25, 1924.

Be it known that we, Timmer G. Ann .innen and MiLncnN E. latin-inning citizens ol the llnited States7 residing at Brewster, in ('.lllanogan County, and State oli' ldlasliini;n

'tc-n, have invented certain new and useiul improvements in ll/Tater Motors, oil which the following` is a speeii'ication.

(hir present invention relates to iinprovements iu water niotors oil the tiuid current type and involving the use oli' a rotary wheel having a horizontal axis of rotation and provided with teathering blades arranged upon a series of radial axes. The priniary object of the invention is the pro- `vision of a water wheel of this type adapted for use in the current of a Vflowing stream or river, which is simple in Construction, durable, and eilective in operation, and pccially designed to withstaiul encounters troni or iinpact oili dbris such as logs which are continually 'Floating down strcani in many rivers.

rl.1 he water inotor may consist oi a desired or suitable nu inber olf duplicate wheels fixed upon a single shaft arranged transversely of the iowing current and provided with means and arranged in such nianner as to shield the operating parts ot the wheels 'from dritt wood and other dbris, and at the saine time atlord an ellicient power plant off this type suitable for production of power.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements ot parts as will hereinafter be more `fully described and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of our invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged in accordance with the best inode we have thus far devised for the practical application ot the principles ol our invention.

Figurev l is a View in side elevation showing the position oit the water n'iotor with relation to the 'flowing current of a stream or river.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view illus trating in transverse section the upper portions of a pair of wheels and their shaft, with the hinged leathering blades in work ing position.

Figure Bis a detail view showing the pivoted blades in operative position- Serial No. 728,251.

journaled. The required number of 'sup porting piers 3 are utilized and spaced at proper distances to accomodate the shaft, and the power developed is transinittedk from the shaft l to its desired destination in suitable and usual manner.

rlhe Water wheels designated. as a whole by the numerals 4l and 5 are of duplicate or standardized construction and they are spaced apart on the shaft in suitable ninnbers depending upon theV width of the ou rrent upon the amount of power required or on other factors. Each wheel is fashioned with a hub 6 which is lined to its shaft l and also with a pair oi spaced series of spokes T and 8 extending radially 'from the hub. As shown in the drawing these spokes may be round bars or rods of inetal, each series being provided with a lateral side plate or` round disk, as 9 and 10, and an annular rin'i il,l preferably of cast .metal or wrought inetal encircles the side plates. The side plates and spokes are afxed to the rini, the spokes being located within the space between the plates, and the lateral edges of the riin overhang or project beyond the plates as indicated in Figure 2 to atlord protection to the hinged blades. By this construction a hollow wheel is Ifashioned, having a strong and durable rim and spoke construction to withstand strains due to wear, and a further means of protection is provided for the wheel by the use oi studs l2 projecting from the exterior of the riin. rlhese studs are sharpened. and spaced over the area of the wheel rini. in such manner as to strike against dbris, such as drift wood floating down the stream, and carry the dii bris under the motor, thus preventing contact ol' the dbris with the operatingr parts or blades of the water wheels, and shieldingthese'parts against breakage.

At each side of the water wheel is arranged. a series of radially disposed, approximately rectangular, flat blades 13, each of which has an inclined inner edge conitorminoto the exterior tace of the side plate 0I the Wheel, and it Will be noted that the side plates form Walls converging toward the rim of the Wheel. rlhese converging Walls thus .provide an annular space Within the projecting edges of the rim in which the inner corners at the outer eX- tremities of the blades are located and protected.

Each blade is provided with a pair of outer and inner attaching arms 14 and 15 disposed transversely of the blade and atIiXed thereto as by rivets or bolts:x Each ot' these arms is fashioned With a ournal opening or pivot bearing 16 by means of which the blades are hinged on their respective spokes, and as seen in Figure 3 the hinges yof the blades are located within the holloiv Wheel, a slot or opening 16 being provided in the side plates for accommodation of the arm. Each of these attaching arms is fashioned with a lever extern sion 17 which forms a bearing arm for the blades, and at the enc s of these bearing arms a bend 18 is provided, as seen in Figures 3 and 4;. In Figure 3 it will be seen that the blade is hinged on a spoke a-t one side of the Wheel, and that the bearing .arm 17 projects transversely across the in` terior of the hollow Wheel and at its end has a bearing against a spoke at the opposite side of the Wheel7 when the blade is in operative position.

In Figure 3 the blades are shown by dotted lines in folded, inoperative position, a position which they assume under action of gravity as the blades emerge y irom their submerged position, and the blades exterior of the Wheel as Well as the bearing arms Within the interior of thewheel, lie substantially parallel with the side Walls of the Wheel. The blades svving to operative position, by gravity as the Wheel rotates, and the contact oit the bearing arms with the spoke at the operative side of the Wheel limits this movement of the blade to operative position as Well as receiving the pressure exerted on the extended blade by the flowing current of Water against the blade. In this manner the usual feathering action of the blades is accomplished, and they are alter nate'ly moved to operative and inoperative position.

The bearing arms maintain the blades in a position at vright angles tothe diam eter of the Wheels, and of course the spokes ot the Wheels are arranged in such manner as to permit free movement as re quired of the blades, and also to limit the movement of the blades and hold them in extended operative position. By enclosing the pivotal or hinged supports and the bearing arms of the blades Within the hollow Wheels these elements are protected from dbris and maintained at all times in condition :tor operation.

In order to secure an instant action ot the Water upon the blade as the blade enters the Water the tips are formed at an angle, as indicated in Figures 1 and 1, and offer a comparatively fiat face to the action of the Water during the entrance of the blades therein. This Jieature also insures the blades opening in case they have not done so by gravity before entering the Water.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it Will be apparent that We have provided a substantial and durable Water motor oil high eiiiciency, which is simple in both construction and operation, and is ivell protected against breakage from dbris or other shiftinvf material in the flowing currents utilized 'for the production of power.

Having thus fully described our invention7 what We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a Water Wheel, the combination with a. hub and spaced side Walls and an enclosingr rim, of radial spokes arranged. in tvfo spaced series within the Walls. leathering blades pivoted on said spokes at each side ot said Wheel, and means carried by said blades -for co-action with spokes atthe opposite side ol" the wheel l'or retaining sa id blades in operative position.

2. In a Water Wheel. the combination with a hub, spaced side Walls and an enclosing rim and radial spokes arranged in tivo spaced series Within the Walls, of feathering blades each having a plurality ot' arms pivoted on a spoke, and bearing ariu on each blade projecting transversely ot the Wheel adapted to co-act with a spoke at the opposite side ot the Wheel i'or retaining said blade in operative position.

3. In a Walter wheel, the vonibinatimi with a hub, spaced side .valls and an enclosing rim and radial spokes arranged in two spaced series within the wheel, oit teathering blades each comprising a plurality ot' pivoted arms on a spoke7 and a ri integral cxtension on each arn'i having a bont end adapted to oo-act with a spoke at the opposite side of the wheel for retaining thc blade in operative position.

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures.

IV. G. ALEXANDER. MILBURN E. ALEXANDER.

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